This month we have focused on quality-of-life issues and this episode is part one of a two part series on the “Magic of Palliative Care”. At times the term “palliative care” is misunderstood and so we also use the newer term ‘supportive care’ to better explain how this care supports your quality of life as you go through MBC treatment. We first turn our focus to the medical providers who help us manage symptoms and treatment side effects and, by doing so, improve multiple aspects of our lives. Cohost Natalia Green is joined by new cohost Dr. Paula Jayne with interviews of two medical providers, Anita McDonald, FNP and Kimberly Curseen, MD, who see supportive care as essential to their work with people living with MBC.

Want to learn more about things mentioned in this episode?

Additional Resources

Dr. Beth Popp’s (Mt Sinai palliative care doctor) detailed symptom management presentation at LBBC

To find out if there is an outpatient palliative care center in your area, enter your zip code & then click on “office / clinic” for outpatient care on this website.

2017 ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline Update on the integration of palliative care into cancer care. Their recommendation:  “Inpatients and outpatients with advanced cancer should receive dedicated palliative care services, early in the disease course, concurrent with active treatment. Referral of patients to interdisciplinary palliative care teams is optimal, and services may complement existing programs. Providers may refer family and friend caregivers of patients with early or advanced cancer to palliative care services.”   

PCHETA Action Center -Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act

Other Presentations

Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) webinar with Dr. Curseen 

LBBC Podcast with Dr Curseen 

Powerpoint Presentation by Dr. Janet Abrahm on palliative care from LBBC conference – detailed focus on pain management. 

Dr BJ Miller - TED Talk on Palliative medicines (watch video).

Articles

ASCO article on Supportive & Palliative Care

Sorting out the Confusion between Palliative Care and Hospice Care

In Palliative Care, Comfort Is the Top Priority by Paula Span, The New York Times 2/12/2016

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